Duke’s work party

I joined another work party on the Duke of Norfolk’s estate near Arundel today. We were continuing to create a new breeding area and rides for the Duke of Burgundy butterfly, judged to be Britain’s most endangered species. 

The two photos of the DoB above were taken in May when this beautiful butterfly flies.

the workers

We split into two parties My party moved cut branches and raked the leaf litters so the open area will be ready for planting cowslips next year. This is the larval food plant of the DoB. It was hard work, but with a small but dedicated group of volunteers we made noticeable progress.

 

 open space created in woodland (and below)

 
 woodland ride

 

The other party cut more saplings and raked and burned to open up more of the main ride being created.